Pine View book study aids parents of children

It is no secret that life as a Pine View student can be difficult. Because of this, parents often use unique and different tactics to help understand their child’s life. Elementary guidance counselor Mary Cantillo alongside Pine View parent Vidisha Patel, have teamed up to make a book study for parents of gifted students. A book study is when a group of people come together on a regular basis to analyze and discuss a book of choice.

The idea of the book study was brought in by Patel, a psychologist specialized in understanding gifted students. She decided to bring this idea to the school after she heard about the book “A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children” and saw how it could benefit the parents at Pine View. “I wanted the parents to feel a sense of community so that they didn’t feel alone,” Patel said.

The book study started Jan. 8 and will continue until Feb. 26. Meetings occur in the morning at school. “The goal is for the parents to have a better understanding of their child emotionally and socially,” Cantillo said. Cantillo and Patel plan to aid parents by analyzing the book “A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children” chapter by chapter. The book touches on all areas, including motivation and communication.

This is the book study session’s first year. Earlier in the fall of this year, a cycle of 20 parents participated in the book study and the feedback showed the sessions benefits. Parents involved in the group echo the sentiment that, since joining, their children have become happier, their family has become healthier and they have experienced personal gains.

Both Cantillo and Patel are considering whether or not to continue this program further with another book.

According to the book study’s founders, these sessions are put together in order to ensure that parents benefit and learn what is needed to help their child succeed. “My job is to help out, and this is just one way that I am proud to be able to reach out to the parents in the Pine View community,” Cantillo said. Ten parents have enrolled in the spring session, making it likely the book study sessions will continue in future years.

Pine View book study aids parents of children was last modified: February 1st, 2017 by Sana Rahman